Adhering to the Laws of God
Prayer
Story
Haji Muhammad and the ship
Haji Muhammad lived during the time of Baha’u’llah. Baha’u’llah revealed God’s teachings for today. Baha’u’llah was in prison in Akka
Haji Muhammad was honest in all his dealings as a businessman and was known for his trustworthiness. For a while his work brought him into Akka. One day he was sitting in his office when ‘Abdu’l-Baha entered, bringing an urgent message from Baha’u’llah. Haji Muhammad was to leave immediately for the city of Jeddah in Arabia.
He asked ‘Abdu’l-Baha whether he could have the bounty of attaining the presence of Baha’u’llah before departing. ‘Abdu’l-Baha explained that there was no time as the ship was due to leave at any moment. Haji Muhammad closed the office at once and headed straight for the port to board the ship. His desire to obey was so exemplary that he had no other thought but to follow the command of Baha’u’llah.
As soon as Haji Muhammad boarded, the ship set sail. Only then did he realize that, because of the great rush, he had not thought to ask ‘Abdu’l-Baha the purpose of his trip to Arabia. Now it was too late! Still, he was not concerned. He was certain that, once he arrived in Jeddah, God would guide his steps.
The sea that day was unusually stormy and the journey fraught with peril.
Everyone was worried that the ship was going to sink – everyone, that is, except Haji Muhammad. He knew that he would be protected and the ship would arrive safely in Jeddah, for he had been entrusted by Baha’u’llah with a mission to carry out in that city. And the ship did indeed arrive at its destination.
After leaving the ship, Haji Muhammad heard two people talking in Persian among the crowds. Being Persian himself, he approached them and discovered that they, too, were Baha’is and were on their way to ‘Akka to visit Baha’u’llah. They had been unjustly imprisoned for their faith for ten years and had just been released. This was their first journey to the Holy Land, and they were in need of assistance.
It then became clear to Haji Muhammad that the purpose of his mission in Jeddah was to help these two souls to find their way to Akka and attain the presence of Baha’u’llah, a responsibility which he carried out with great care and attention.
Questions
- Did Haji Muhammad obey Baha’u’llah quickly or slowly?
- Did Haji Muhammad obey Baha’u’llah unhappily or joyfully?
To memorize
Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty.
Baha’u’llah
What does it mean to obey God’s commandments out of love?
Out of His infinite love, God has given us laws and teachings to live by. These laws and teaching are like lamps that illumine our path. Through their light, we are able to see how it is that God wants us to live. As we obey His commandments, we draw closer to Him; otherwise we find ourselves in darkness and we lose our way.
‘Abdu’l-Baha’s love for God was so strong that it was the cause of everything He did every day. What did he do?
- He prayed every day, even when He was tired.
- He never spoke badly about anyone, even if everyone else was gossiping.
- He treated animals with kindness.
- He worked hard.
- He thought every day about what he could do to please God.
- When somebody asked him how to be put into practice the teachings of God and acquire spiritual qualities, ‘Abdu’l-Baha lovingly replied “kam kam, ruz beh ruz” which means “little by little, day by day”.
- He told us not to look at our weaknesses and faults, but instead turn towards God and reply on God’s mercy and assistance.
Songs
Imagine
Imagine you are living in the mountains, in a small place that is far from the local market. One day your mother asks you to go to the market to buy some vegetables and return home straight away.
Soon after setting out you encounter a herd of sheep blocking the road. instead of waiting for them to move, you gently steer your way through the herd.
Next you come to a river, where you must get into a boat and row your way across. If you stop rowing even for a moment you will start to go downstream. Finally you make it to the other side of the river and continue your journey.
As you are walking you meet some friends who ask you to join in a game of football. At first you think about stopping to play, but then you remember your promise to your mother to buy the vegetables and come home without delay.
On your way home from the market you think about taking a different path, which is more beautiful with flowers to pick along the way. The other path is much shorter, but not as pretty. You decide to take the shorter path.
And soon you reach home with the vegetables that your mother asked for.
